Parathyroid cells express dihydropyridine-sensitive cation currents and L-type calcium channel subunits

Abstract

Parathyroid cells express Ca2+-conducting currents that are activated by raising the extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o). We investigated the sensitivity of these currents to dihydropyridines, the expression of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) subunits, and the effects of dihydropyridines on the intracellular free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) and secretion in these cells. Dihydropyridine channel antagonists dose dependently suppressed Ca2+-conducting currents, and agonists partially reversed the inhibitory effects of the antagonists in these cells. From a bovine parathyroid cDNA library, we isolated cDNA fragments encoding parts of an α1S- and a β3-subunit of L-type Ca2+ channels. The α1S-subunit cDNA from the parathyroid represents an alternatively spliced variant lacking exon 29 of the corresponding gene. Northern blot analysis and immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of transcripts and proteins for α1- and β3-subunits in the parathyroid gland. The addition of dihydropyridines had no significant effects on high [Ca2+]o-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. Thus our studies indicate that parathyroid cells express alternatively spliced L-type Ca2+ channel subunits, which do not modulate acute intracellular Ca2+ responses or changes in PTH release.